Alumarine’s new passenger vessel

The 28 metre inland waterways boat built in aluminium will carry passengers on the Oise river from the Cité des Bateliers (Longueil- Annel) to Compiegne and Noyon and is due to come into service next year.

According to Alumarine the vessel will be particularly innovative and environmentally friendly thanks to a diesel/electric hybrid propulsion system. Alumarine Shipyard successfully bid for this building contract issued by the French Communauté de Commune des 2 Vallées. The naval architecture office in charge of design and studies is DN&T from Belgium.

The large side windows provide passengers a panoramic view, and the overhead hatches are designed to increase the light in the passenger deck. So passengers will enjoy both panoramic view and luminous spacious deck. Outside, a roof terrace can accommodate twenty people. Access to the boat will be through the bow where a special area is dedicated to the passenger bicycles. She will allow the 10,000 annual visitors to the Cité des Bateliers to enjoy river cruises and a catering service on board.

The propulsion system of the boat combines an electric engine and a diesel engine. These two elements are combined by a gearbox. This ‘new generation’ boat is designed for towns and, according to Alumarine, represents a modern and ecological way to develop transport and tourism on their waterways.

By Jake Frith